Hook Lighthouse's Free Shine A Light Festival Is the Perfect May Bank Holiday Day Out for Families
The May Bank Holiday weekend is almost here and if your current plan involves refereeing arguments over the TV remote, we have something much better for you. Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford is bringing back its brilliant Shine A Light Festival on Sunday 3 May, and the best part? It’s completely free to attend.
Set against one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the country, Hook Lighthouse is no ordinary day-out backdrop. It holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest operational lighthouse, which is the kind of fact that will genuinely impress your kids and then they’ll sprint off towards the pirate ship. And yes, there is a pirate ship.
What’s on at the Shine A Light Festival
Running from 10 am to 4 pm, the festival is built around the kind of programme that actually works for families — busy enough to keep everyone engaged, relaxed enough that you might get to finish a hot drink. Highlights include interactive demonstrations from Irish Coast Services, family games, hands-on activities and a spread of food options to keep everyone fuelled throughout the day.
The grounds will have picnic benches and a children’s play area, so if the little ones need to burn off energy between activities there’s plenty of space for that. The maritime museum and sustainability centre will also be open across the full bank holiday weekend, which is worth factoring in if you want to stretch the trip into something a bit more exploratory.
Guided tours of the lighthouse itself will run daily from 10 am to 4 pm over the weekend, giving you a proper look inside one of Ireland’s most iconic structures. For those who fancy something a little more creative, children’s art sessions with Rose will be available from €10 per person and beginner adult art classes from €15, running Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 am to 4 pm. An afternoon at a coastal lighthouse painting the sea? That sounds like a solid plan for the grown-ups too.
Food, fresh air and all the maritime vibes
There’s an on-site café as well as an outdoor catering unit, so you won’t be rationing cereal bars from the bottom of a changing bag. Between the food, the fresh sea air and the sheer drama of the Hook Head coastline, it’s the sort of day that ends with tired children and a vague sense that you’ve done something good with the bank holiday.
The festival is supported by Great Lighthouses of Ireland and has built a reputation for being one of those rare family events that doesn’t feel like a logistical ordeal. No ticket queue, no entry fee, no explaining to a four-year-old why the fun thing costs money. It’s just a brilliant day out by the sea.
How to plan your visit
Hook Lighthouse is located at Hook Head in County Wexford, making it a genuinely scenic drive from most parts of the south-east and a very doable day trip from further afield if you’re looking for an excuse to hit the road over the long weekend. Pack layers, sensible shoes for the rocks, and a fully charged phone because the lighthouse photos will be worth it.
The Shine A Light Festival takes place on Sunday 3 May 2026 from 10 am to 4 pm, with the maritime museum and sustainability centre open across the full May Bank Holiday weekend. For more information visit hookheritage.ie.
Kids enjoy the Shine A Light Festival at Hook Lighthouse.